Month: September 2006

THIRD ARMENIA – DIASPORA CONFERENCE CONCLUDED

Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006

The third Armenia Diaspora Conference concluded its activities on
Wednesday, September 20. More than 2,000 people from 40 countries
attended the three-day gathering.

The conference began on September 18 with opening speeches by
President Robert Kocharian, His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of
All Armenians, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, President Arkady Ghukasyan of Nagorno Karabagh, as well as
the heads of pan-Armenian organizations. They addressed the various
issues on the conference program, as well as the general issues of
Armenia-Diaspora agenda.

The second session, on the same afternoon, focused on Rural Poverty
Eradication – a program launched at the conference to encourage
Diaspora individuals and organizations to sponsor specific villages
and undertake the infrastructure rebuilding and economic development
of Armenia’s border communities. The first speaker at this session
was Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, who spoke about the impact of
rural poverty on Armenia’s economic development and emphasized the
importance of such a pan-Armenian undertaking. Sitting around the
table were those who had already agreed to sponsor a village, as well
as those individuals and organizations, including international NGOs,
who are prepared to partner with the program.

A decision was taken to create a Council with participation of
the Diaspora Secretariat to oversee the planning, organization and
implementation of the program. Implementation of the rural poverty
eradication program will begin in spring 2007.

Also, during a special meeting in the margins of the conference with
the representatives of organizations and communities, a decision
was taken to create a consultative body (composed of the same
representatives) that would ensure continuity between conferences by
coordinating communication and maintaining ties and links among the
participants, and between the participants and the Armenia Diaspora
Secretariat.

The third session of the Conference began on the morning of Tuesday,
September 20, with the start of a forum entitled ‘New Answers to Old
Questions: Armenians in the 21st Century’. Tigran Torosyan, Chairman
of the National Assembly, made the opening statement.

The Forum consisted of four panels and concluded on Wednesday
morning. Forty speakers and discussants from eight countries addressed
issues of culture and identity, and their application to diasporas,
to cooperation and exchange, and specifically, to Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora.

During Panel 2 and Panel 3, Armenia-Diaspora relations were discussed
from the practical viewpoint. The participants were seeking answers
to the following questions: What direction can be given to future
cultural and socio-economic relations between Diaspora and homeland,
as well as questions having to do with emigration and repatriation.

The final panel entitled ‘A Look at Diaspora 2020’, featured four
different perspectives on what the Diaspora might look like in 2020,
and how to arrive at more efficient Armenia-Diaspora relations.

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian delivered the Forum’s concluding
statement.

At the conclusion of the conference, a declaration was adopted.

President Robert Kocharian addressed the participants and thanked
them for their comments and input.

KIRK KIRKORIAN 26TH IN THE FORBES LIST

Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006

The American Forbes magazine has publicized the list of the 400
richest US citizens. The list includes people who earned no les than
$1 billion.

The first in the list is Head of the "Microsoft" Corporation Bill
gates, whose wealth is estimated to reach $53 billion. With $45 billion
the second place is occupied by financial investor Warren Buffet. The
third is Sheldon Adelson, owner of a number of casinos and hotels.

American-Armenian billionaire Kirk Kirkorian occupies the 26th place
in the Forbes list. The wealth of 89-year-old Kirkorian is estimated
$9 billion. He owns about 10 percent of the General Motors Company.

Kirk Kirkorian possesses also a great network of casinos and hotels.

The billionaire has provided tens of thousand of dollars for
reconstruction of the Yerevan’s center, cultural centers and the
earthquake zone.

According to the Forbes, the richest Americans prefer to live in
California and New York.

STATEMENT ADOPTED IN THE RESULT OF THE ARMENIA-DIASPORA THIRD CONFERENCE

Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006

A statement was adopted in the result of the Armenia-Diaspora Third
Conference. MFA Press Service informs that the statement says, in
particular, "Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference, which took place on
the eve of a historical event – 15th Anniversary of the Armenian
independence, reiterates our resolve and determination to promote
in every possible way the strengthening of Armenian Statehood, as a
vital precondition for the resolution of all problems faced by all
Armenians and for our continuous advancement.

The Third Conference takes note that in recent times, Armenia-Diaspora
relations and cooperation have been developing harmoniously, with
reciprocal trust and respect, and a solid base has been established
for future expansion and strengthening.

We have a common history, shared objectives and problems, priorities
which pertain to all Armenians and as well as those which are
particular to specific communities, and only through combined efforts,
through the consolidation of our human and material resources, will
we be able to resolve existing problems.

The Republic of Armenia, as a state, assumes with all its capacity
and power, the responsibility to provide the necessary conditions
for every Armenian to participate in state-building, and in Armenia’s
strengthening and development processes.

The Conference reaffirms that our national identity is indivisibly
linked with Christianity, and that the mission of the Armenian Church
in the spiritual and ethical life of the Armenian people, as well
as in the expansion and deepening of Armenia-Diaspora relations,
is momentous and significant.

The Conference approves the Rural Poverty Eradication Program and
appeals to all structures, organizations and to all our people as
a whole to actively participate in the planning, organization and
implementation of the Program.

In our modern history, the greatest achievement of our people has been
the liberation of Artsakh, which is the expression of our people’s
unwavering resolve to defend our historic rights. The liberation
of Artsakh has become the clear evidence of our unity, solidarity
and commitment.

We reiterate our total responsibility and complete support for the
right of the people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to live in
freedom and to exercise their right of self-determination.

After Armenia regained independence, the Armenian Diaspora found
itself in a new situation and throughout the period when serious and
risky challenges confronted the newly independent Armenian state,
demonstrated unprecedented material, political and moral support to
our country.

Concurrently, the issues faced by the Diaspora remain mostly the
same. These are preservation and continuity of national identity,
traditions and culture in the various host countries, in different
religious and ethno-cultural conditions. Toward that end the Republic
of Armenia lends its total support to Diaspora.

The Conference reaffirms its resolve to attain international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in all countries. The Conference
welcomes and expresses its gratitude to all the just-thinking friends
of the Armenian people, whose efforts testify the growing feeling
of responsibility on the part of the international community for the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

We are confident that principles of democracy, human rights and
liberty are the priorities for a properly functioning state and
social structures.

Our fundamental values are peace, friendship and mutually beneficial
cooperation among peoples, the right of individuals and peoples to
live in liberty and exercise freedom of speech and faith.

We are resolved and determined to protect our national rights and
interests in the 21st century, to enforce peace and unity, to solve
our problems, to fulfill our dreams together in the name of our people,
for the safe and secure development and advancement of our homeland."

RA MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION RECEIVED THE AMBASSADOR OF KUWAIT

Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006

Today in RA Government Minister of Territorial Administration Hovik
Abrahamyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Kuwait Majdi Aldafiri (seat in Tehran).

Government’s Information and PR Department told "Armenpress" that
the parties turned to a number of issues of further development of
relations between the two countries. The interlocutors discussed issues
of Kuwait’s assistance to reconstruction of rural infrastructures in
Armenia, particularly water supply systems and community roads.

NKR MINISTRY OF DEFENSE REFUTES THE REPORTS ON CEASE-FIRE VIOLATION

Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006

NKR Ministry of Defense refuted the reports of the Azeri side on the
violation of the cease-fire regime on September 21. Press Secretary
of NKR Ministry of Defense Senor Asratyan told "ArmInfo" that the
information does not correspond to reality and no breach of the
cease-fire was registered on the day specified.

According to APA agency the cease-fire was violated September 21
in the direction of Aghdam in the result of which serviceman of the
armed forces of Azerbaijan Vyusal Seidaliev was killed.

ARMENIAN CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, BUT…

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006

The Constitution of Armenia provides for the freedom of religion,
but the legislation puts some restrictions on the freedom of religion
of ethnic minorities, says the 2006 report of the US Department of
State on "Freedom of religion in the countries of the world."

The web page of the US Department of State informs that some
restrictions exist in practice as well. "The Armenian Apostolic
Church, which has the legal status of the all-national Church, enjoys
a range of privileges, which adherents of other religions lack,"
the document notes.

RUSSIAN TV CHANNEL SCREENS A FILM DEDICATED TO COMPOSER ARNO BABAJANYAN

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006

On September 21 Russia’s "Rosia" TV Channel screened "Arno Babajanyan’s
Ferris Wheel" film dedicated to great Armenian composer of 21st
century.

In the film contemporaries of the composer retrieve episodes
from his life and creative work. Warm memories were presented by
composer Alexandra Pakhmutova, poet Yevgeni Yevtushenko, actor Armen
Jigarkhanyan, film producer Nerses Hovhannisyan, the composer’s son
Nerses Hovhannisyan and others.

The film tells about the serious disease of the composer, his great
success in foreign countries, his meetings in Yerevan and Moscow,
Aram Khachatryan’s role, etc.

In one year after Arno Babajanyan’s death poet Andrey Voznesenski
devoted a poem to him, which includes the following words: "I will
live as long as music exists."

Once asked to name his favorite song, the composer had responded that
the best song is the one, which is still to be written.

ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE AS INTELLECTUALS SEE IT
Nvard Davtyan

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 21 2006

Prose writer Aghasi Arshakyan does not imagine a greater happiness
for the Armenian nation than independence. "We have a powerful Army
to defend this independence, what we lack is internal independence
and morality," the writer says.

"In all times all peoples had only one desire – independence. But
independence does not come as manna from heaven, and 15 years ago we
learned how it can be achieved," writer and publisher Zori Balayan
says. In his opinion, the independence was achieved by our Army,
which was formed in the war, an Army without which the maintenance of
independence would be a sole myth. We much to do and many problems
to solve, which is hard to imagine without the Army. I congratulate
all Armenians in Motherland and Diaspora, who have jointly built
this independence."

For Perch Zeytuntsian independence is an absolute value, it is the
greatest happiness of a whole nation, the only guarantee of our future.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NA CHAIRMAN TIGRAN TOROSYAN’S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 21 2006

Chairman of RA National Assembly Tigran Torosyan issued an address on
the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Independence of the Republic
of Armenia. The message says, in particular, "One and half decades
of independence have been full of hardest trials and struggle, great
losses and hardship, at the same time being a period of great victories
and achievements, self-determination and revaluation of national
identity. Due to the endless firmness of our people we managed to
resist all the difficulties, and today we have two Armenian states,
a full-fledged National Army, which successfully defends our borders,
an economy with firm roots. On this extremely cherished holiday for
all of us we should state also there are still many challenges and
problems on the way towards the fulfillment of the dreams of the
numerous generations of our people – international recognition of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, provision for the prosperous life of
the people, establishment of a social, legal and democratic state,
full integration into the international community.

Independence is an utmost happiness and a great responsibility."

PM ANDRANIK MARGARYAN CONGRATULATES THE NATION ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 21 2006

RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan issued a congratulating message
on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of independence of the Republic
of Armenia.

"Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on the occasion of the
15th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia. The
Independence Day is undoubtedly the brightest and most important
holiday for us. It is the day of nationwide pride and fulfillment
of the dearest national dreams that came true after a break of over
600 years.

15 years ago our people made its historic choice and when achieving
the right of living independently, it was realizing pretty well the
difficulties and obstacles on the way chosen, at the same time it
was confident that there was no alternative to independence.

Establishing an independent state on part of the Motherland, in 1991
the Armenian nation launched a process, which is no more preventable
or retrievable.

On this prominent day for all of us let’s congratulate each other,
wishing long-lasting peace to our state and well-being to our people.

I’m confident that we have enough will and potential to jointly
resist all the difficulties to steadily continue moving along the
path of Independence."